Prisoner No-smoking Bill Snuffed Out In House Vote

Legislature '97 - Legislative briefs

TALLAHASSEE — Hoping to avoid making inmates mad, the House killed a proposal Tuesday to ban smoking in state prisons.

Bill sponsor Rep. Bob Brooks, R-Winter Park, said banning tobacco would save the state $20 million a year spent treating inmates who suffer smoking-related illnesses.

He also argued that no one is allowed to smoke in public buildings and even guards are not allowed to smoke in prison dormitories. Brooks said allowing inmates to continue smoking gives them more rights than guards.

But critics argued that prisons are understaffed and that removing another privilege from inmates would make them even ''crankier.''